Sports

Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County boys soccer team seeks to remain disciplined and grow as a unit as the season progresses. front Row: Silas Stockton, Johnny Bohorquez, Frank Lopez and Levi Stockton. SECOND ROW: Allen Miguel, Jeimir Mendoza, Yair Avila, Head Coach Cameron Heyen, Jaime Cuevas and Miguel Nolasco Suarez. THIRD ROW: Marlin Miguel, Eviel Ramos, Alan Lozada, Jovani Merino and Cristian Avila. FOURTH ROW: Carlos Lopez-Justus, Chris Merino, Bryan Avila and Kevin Mandujano. FI

Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County boys soccer team seeks to remain disciplined and grow as a unit as the season progresses. front Row: Silas Stockton, Johnny Bohorquez, Frank Lopez and Levi Stockton. SECOND ROW: Allen Miguel, Jeimir Mendoza, Yair Avila, Head Coach Cameron Heyen, Jaime Cuevas and Miguel Nolasco Suarez. THIRD ROW: Marlin Miguel, Eviel Ramos, Alan Lozada, Jovani Merino and Cristian Avila. FOURTH ROW: Carlos Lopez-Justus, Chris Merino, Bryan Avila and Kevin Mandujano. FI

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RCHS boys soccer returns with fresh faces following Elite Eight

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 19, 2026
After a run to the Elite Eight a season ago, the Rabun County boys soccer team is back on the pitch, but this season is led by several fresh faces, compiling a young roster. One of those fresh faces – on the sidelines rather than the field – is first-year head coach Cameron Heyen.
Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County varsity baseball team looks to return to its winning ways in the latter part of the 2026 schedule. Back Row: Assistant Coach Grayson Carver, Wyatt Preston, Ty Truelove, Gabe Porter, Mack Williams and Head Coach Wesley Satterfield. Middle row: Hunter Giles, Christian Thomas, Lleyton Phillips, Caysen Harvey and Zane Burrell. First row: Lake Evans, Baylor Potts, Keaton Hunter, Reid Giles, Eli Green and Ryan Yearwood.

Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County varsity baseball team looks to return to its winning ways in the latter part of the 2026 schedule. Back Row: Assistant Coach Grayson Carver, Wyatt Preston, Ty Truelove, Gabe Porter, Mack Williams and Head Coach Wesley Satterfield. Middle row: Hunter Giles, Christian Thomas, Lleyton Phillips, Caysen Harvey and Zane Burrell. First row: Lake Evans, Baylor Potts, Keaton Hunter, Reid Giles, Eli Green and Ryan Yearwood.

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Diamond Cats returns following 20-win 2025 season

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Wildcat baseball returns following 20-win season a year ago After winning the most games in a single season a year ago since 2014-2015, Rabun County baseball has brought back several starters for the 2026 campaign, which began on Feb. 14.
Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County Lady Cat track and field team seek to get healthier for the upcoming meets. Back Row: Assistant Coach Anthony Lampros, Assistant Coach Mark Bagwell, Assistant Coach Kelley Bagwell, Samuel Cochran, Andrew Causin, Skylar Gunn, Fen Hilson, Assistant Coach Erica Hughes, Head Coach Gary Hughes and Assistant Coach Mike Van Winkle. Third Row: Johan Luna, Caden Watts, Everett Goodrow, Crayton Smith, Ashden Denning, Joseph Gonzalez, JP Lopez and Brady Mazarky

Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Rabun County Lady Cat track and field team seek to get healthier for the upcoming meets. Back Row: Assistant Coach Anthony Lampros, Assistant Coach Mark Bagwell, Assistant Coach Kelley Bagwell, Samuel Cochran, Andrew Causin, Skylar Gunn, Fen Hilson, Assistant Coach Erica Hughes, Head Coach Gary Hughes and Assistant Coach Mike Van Winkle. Third Row: Johan Luna, Caden Watts, Everett Goodrow, Crayton Smith, Ashden Denning, Joseph Gonzalez, JP Lopez and Brady Mazarky

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RCHS track and field is about getting better each day

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The meets during the regular season are buildups to the all-important region, sectionals and state. At this point early into your meets, where do you see your strengths to be on the boys and girls sides?
Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Wildcat tennis team has kept its winning ways in 2026. Back Row: Head Coach Bryan Getty, Noel Vasquez, Braylon Kelly, Assistant Coach Jenn Ramey and Assistant Coach Lara Quinn. Middle Row: Lleyton Phillips, Ashden Denning, Jack Getty, Travis Keener, Brady Darnell and Andrew Conner. Front Row: Rhett Walker, Gunner McCracken, Walker Dixon, Maxwel Cox and Kobe Smith.

Photo courtesy Rabun County High School. The Wildcat tennis team has kept its winning ways in 2026. Back Row: Head Coach Bryan Getty, Noel Vasquez, Braylon Kelly, Assistant Coach Jenn Ramey and Assistant Coach Lara Quinn. Middle Row: Lleyton Phillips, Ashden Denning, Jack Getty, Travis Keener, Brady Darnell and Andrew Conner. Front Row: Rhett Walker, Gunner McCracken, Walker Dixon, Maxwel Cox and Kobe Smith.

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Wildcat tennis teams off to hot start in new season

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Wildcat tennis teams off to hot start in new season The Rabun County boys and girls tennis teams are off to a firing start in the 2026 campaign, following an Elite Eight appearance a season ago for both squads. That Elite Eight run for the Wildcat boys was its first in program history.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head coach David Adcock implores his team from the sideline in the Wildcats’ 70-59 win over Fitzgerald in the Final Four March 7. The Wildcats now face Southwest March 13 for the state title.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head coach David Adcock implores his team from the sideline in the Wildcats’ 70-59 win over Fitzgerald in the Final Four March 7. The Wildcats now face Southwest March 13 for the state title.

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RCHS boys hoops set for state title clash

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 12, 2026
History awaits the Rabun County boys basketball team at the Macon Coliseum on March 13. The Wildcats, who have already set a school record 29 wins this season, will play in the state championship for the first time in program history, at 3 p.m. Standing in the way of that history is No.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County crowd celebrates after a made 3-pointer by Wildcat freshman Trace Adcock late in the fourth quarter of their 70-59 win over Fitzgerald in the Final Four on March 7 at Fort Valley State University. Adcock ranks No. 21 in the country in made 3-pointers this season according to MaxPreps.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County crowd celebrates after a made 3-pointer by Wildcat freshman Trace Adcock late in the fourth quarter of their 70-59 win over Fitzgerald in the Final Four on March 7 at Fort Valley State University. Adcock ranks No. 21 in the country in made 3-pointers this season according to MaxPreps.

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Cats overcome Purple Hurricane

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 12, 2026
FORT VALLEY – The Rabun County boys basketball team has advanced to the state championship game for the first time in program history as a result of its 70-59 win over Fitzgerald on March 7 at Fort Valley State University. Rabun County will face Southwest-Macon on Friday, March 13, at 3 p.m.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head coach David Adcock celebrates as the clock winds down in Rabun County’s 70-59 Final Four victory over Fitzgerald at Fort Valley State University on March 7. The Wildcats are headed to the state championship for the first time in program history.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head coach David Adcock celebrates as the clock winds down in Rabun County’s 70-59 Final Four victory over Fitzgerald at Fort Valley State University on March 7. The Wildcats are headed to the state championship for the first time in program history.

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Team, coaches represent community ‘with class throughout entire season’

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, March 12, 2026
The support for the Rabun County boys basketball program is evident throughout the community and within the school system as the RCHS Wildcats tangle with the Patriots of Southwest-Macon for the Class A Division I state title on Friday in the Macon Coliseum.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head boys soccer coach Cameron Heyen watches his team from the sideline in its 7-3 March 6 win at home over Elbert County. The victory marked Heyen’s first win as the boys head coach.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County head boys soccer coach Cameron Heyen watches his team from the sideline in its 7-3 March 6 win at home over Elbert County. The victory marked Heyen’s first win as the boys head coach.

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Heyen, Wildcats capture 7-3 triumph vs. Elbert County

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 12, 2026
TIGER – Rabun County first-year boys soccer head coach Cameron Heyen picked up his first win as the head coach of the Wildcats with a 7-3 victory over Elbert County at home on March 6. Heyen joined the RCHS soccer programs a season ago after eight years at Tucker High School in Tucker, Ga.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Millie Southards fights off Elbert County defenders in Rabun County’s 9-1 win over Elbert County on March 6 at home. Southards scored three goals in the win.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Millie Southards fights off Elbert County defenders in Rabun County’s 9-1 win over Elbert County on March 6 at home. Southards scored three goals in the win.

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Lady Cats claim 9-1 victory over Lady Blue Devils

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 12, 2026
TIGER – The Rabun County girls soccer team picked up its first win of the season on Friday, March 6, in a 9-1 thumping of region foe Elbert County. The win for the Lady Cats also marks their first win in region-play.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade rises for a jumper in Rabun Gap’s 61-56 win over Buford on Jan. 30. Lacossade, who earned All-State honors this season, is Rabun Gap’s first All-State selection since Theo Antinori in 2022-23.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap senior RJ Lacossade rises for a jumper in Rabun Gap’s 61-56 win over Buford on Jan. 30. Lacossade, who earned All-State honors this season, is Rabun Gap’s first All-State selection since Theo Antinori in 2022-23.

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RGNS basketball earns All-State, All-Conference honors

Wesley Branch
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Four Rabun Gap basketball players across both the girls and boys basketball teams have earned All-Conference honors, while one was named to the All-State team for the AAAA class of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA).